CN110753665A

CN110753665A - Capsule and system for preparing a beverage from such a capsule having a sealing member

Info

Publication number: CN110753665A
Application number: CN201880040154.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: G·班巴焦尼; G·伽维勒; A·科莱普; F·多莱亚克
Original assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle SA
Current assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle SA; Nestec SA
Priority date: 2017-06-26
Filing date: 2018-06-18
Publication date: 2020-02-04
Anticipated expiration: 2038-06-18
Also published as: CN110753665B; RU2020101648A; EP3645422B1; JP7222934B2; AU2018293033A1; EP3645422A1; ES2971888T3; RU2758922C2; MX2019013530A; PT3645422T; ZA202000306B; JP2020525095A; US11926468B2; CA3067699A1; PL3645422T3; EP4001166A1; EP4001166B1; ES2906370T3; BR112019025232A2; WO2019001995A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a capsule (2) for preparing a beverage by extracting a substance in a beverage preparation device, comprising: -an aluminium capsule body (3) having a bottom, a side wall (6) and an outwardly extending flange (7), -a cover (8) attached to the outwardly extending flange (7), and-a sealing member (9) at the outwardly extending flange (7) for providing a water-tight contact with a closure member of the beverage preparation device; wherein the sealing member (9) comprises at least one annular layer of polymer material positioned on the outwardly extending flange, wherein the sealing member is compressed in use in the device, and wherein the outwardly extending flange (7) comprises an annular recess (16) having an annular bottom wall (17) and inner (18) and outer (19) protruding walls, the protruding walls (18,19) each extending in a direction towards the bottom of the capsule body, and wherein the annular layer of polymer material (20) is entirely contained in the annular recess (16).

Description

Capsule and system for preparing a beverage from such a capsule having a sealing member

The present invention relates to a capsule containing a substance for preparing a beverage by supplying water under pressure into the capsule to extract the substance.

The invention also relates to a system for preparing a beverage from a capsule using water supplied under pressure into the capsule, the system comprising: a beverage preparation device comprising a closure member for containing a capsule; and a capsule.

Such capsules, systems are known from EP1654966B1, EP2151313B1 and EP2318199B 1.

In the known system, the capsule has a sealing member with rubber-elastic means at the transition between the side wall of the body portion and the edge portion extending therefrom. The sealing member forms a continuous portion distributed around the circumference transitioning from the rim to the capsule side wall. The outer surface of the cured sealing device is linear or meniscus shaped when viewed in cross-section, and the thickness of the sealing member continuously decreases towards the end at the side wall of the base body portion and the end at the edge portion, respectively.

Furthermore, in known systems, the device comprises a closing member (also called "capsule cage") and a closing member (also called "capsule holder") and a manually operated or automatic mechanism for relative displacement of the closing member and the closing member. When the closure member is closed on the closure member, a manually operated mechanism or an automatic mechanism applies a force to the sealing member of the capsule. This force should ensure that a liquid tight seal is formed between the closure member and the capsule so that water cannot bypass the capsule and substantially all water passes through the capsule. Since the manually operated mechanism or the automatic mechanism is arranged to move relative to the base, the sealing capability of the system may depend on the pressure of the water injected by the water injector. If the pressure of the water increases, the force between the sealing member of the capsule and the free end of the closure member also increases, whereby the force between the sealing member of the capsule and the free end of the closure member also increases. Thus, the sealing member of the capsule must be arranged such that after a maximum water pressure is reached, the sealing member should still provide a liquid tight sealing contact between the closure member and the capsule.

However, the sealing member must also be arranged such that before or at the beginning of brewing, the sealing member also provides a water-tight contact between the closing member and the capsule when the pressure of the water in the closing member outside the capsule is relatively low. If there is no water-tight contact between the capsule and the closure member at the start of brewing, leakage will occur. However, in case of leakage, if the manually operated mechanism or the automatic mechanism moves the closure member towards the closure member (capsule holder), the pressure in the closure member and outside the capsule may not increase sufficiently, so that the force acting on the sealing member through the free end of the closure member cannot be increased. Only when there is a sufficient initial sealing will the pressure in the closure member increase, whereby the force of the free end of the closure member acting on the sealing member of the capsule will also increase, thereby providing a sufficient water-tight contact. Furthermore, such an increase of the water pressure outside the capsule also provides an increased water pressure inside the capsule, which is necessary in case the capsule has a cover arranged to tear open on a release member (also referred to as extraction plate) of a capsule holder of the beverage preparation device under the influence of the fluid pressure in the capsule.

From the above, it can be seen that the sealing member is a very critical member in the design. It should be possible to provide a water-tight contact between the sealing member and the capsule with a relatively small fluid pressure if a relatively small force is applied to the sealing member only through the free end of the closure member, but also with a much higher fluid pressure in the sealing member outside the capsule if a large force is applied to the sealing member of the capsule through the free end of the closure member. In particular, when the free contact end of the closure member has a radially extending open groove which serves as an air inlet channel after the force between the closure member and the capsule holder is released for easier removal of the capsule by the user, the sealing member must also be able to "close" the radially extending open groove to provide an effective seal.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative capsule having a sealing member, which provides a satisfactory liquid-tight seal with the sealing member in both cases: if a relatively small force is applied to the sealing member only through the free end of the closure member, a seal is provided at a relatively small water pressure (sometimes also referred to as an initial seal); if a large force is applied to the sealing member of the capsule by the free end of the sealing member (e.g. during brewing), the sealing is provided at a much higher water pressure, even if the free contact end of the closure member has a radially extending open groove. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a more cost-effective solution than one of EP2151313B1 and EP2318199B1, while retaining sufficient surface necessary to attach the cover of the capsule to the body.

The invention content is as follows:

according to the present invention, a first aspect provides a capsule containing a substance for preparing a beverage by supplying water under pressure into the capsule of a beverage preparation device to extract the substance, wherein the capsule comprises:

-an aluminium capsule body having a central capsule body axis, the capsule body having a bottom, side walls and an outwardly extending flange, and

a cover attached to the outwardly extending flange for closing the capsule,

wherein the capsule comprises a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a water-tight contact with a closing member of the beverage preparation device when the capsule is positioned in the closing member of the beverage preparation device and the closing member is closed by the closing member of the beverage preparation device, such as an extraction plate of the device, such that the outwardly extending flange of the capsule and at least a part of the sealing member of the capsule are sealingly engaged between the closing member and the closing member of the device, wherein the closing member of the beverage preparation device comprises a ring-shaped element having a ring-shaped element axis and comprising a free contact end,

wherein the sealing member comprises an annular layer of polymer material positioned on the outwardly extending flange, wherein in use after closing the closure member, the sealing member is compressed by the free contact end of the annular element moving towards the closure element,

wherein the outwardly extending flange comprises an annular outer wall, an optionally curled outer edge extending from the annular outer wall, and an annular recess between the annular outer wall and the side wall; said annular recess comprising an annular bottom wall and inner and outer projecting walls, each extending in a direction towards the bottom of the capsule body,

and wherein the annular layer of polymeric material is received in the annular recess and does not extend over the annular outer wall.

The annular outer wall preferably extends outwardly in a direction substantially transverse to the body axis of the capsule body. The inner and outer projecting walls of the annular recess extend in a direction (at a smaller angle) closer to the main body axis parallel direction than the direction in which the annular outer wall extends. Thus, the annular outer wall forms a suitable surface for sealing the cover, while the inner projection forms a suitable surface for delimiting the sealing means and reducing the amount of polymeric material.

Thus, the position of the polymer material is better controlled to precisely ensure the water tightness where required. By controlling the deformation of the polymer material in the annular recess, water tightness can be achieved even at relatively low water pressures. The amount of polymer material required is also reduced while also preserving sufficient surface to attach the cover of the capsule to the outwardly extending flange. Preferably, the distance between the inner and outer projecting walls is such that the free contact end of the annular element is positioned between these two walls.

Thus, the compression deformation of the projecting wall is advantageously prevented, and only the compression deformation is applied to the seal member in the annular recess. In this way, the projection prevents the sealing member from deforming outward and keeps it sufficiently rigid. Therefore, the deformation of the sealing member is controlled, and a satisfactory degree of sealing can be obtained with a very small amount of the sealing polymer material.

Preferably, the capsule comprises an outer projection extending from the outwardly extending flange towards the body bottom and comprising an outer projecting wall. Furthermore, the outer protrusion has an annular cavity extending on a side of the outwardly extending flange facing the cover, thereby comprising an outer protrusion wall of the recess, a top wall or line, and a second outer protrusion wall facing the bottom of the body.

With such a hollow structure, the protrusion is sufficiently rigid to control the deformation of the sealing member in the annular recess under the following conditions: deformation occurs at a relatively low fluid pressure during closure of the closure member; and deformation under high pressure during brewing. The projections can also be advantageously formed in the aluminium body of the capsule.

In one mode, the inner projecting wall of the annular recess is formed as part of the body side wall. This provides an advantageous simplified arrangement of the capsule body.

In another mode, the capsule comprises a second projection extending from the outwardly extending flange towards the body bottom. Furthermore, the second protrusion has an annular cavity extending on a side of the outwardly extending flange facing the cover, thereby comprising an inner protruding wall, a top wall or line of the recess and a second inner protruding wall facing the bottom of the body.

Preferably, the maximum width of the annular recess is at least two times smaller than the width (D) of the outwardly extending flange. In particular, the maximum width of the annular recess is preferably less than 1.9mm, more preferably comprised between 1.0mm and 1.5 mm. The maximum amount of polymeric material is also preferably less than 40mg, more preferably comprised between 20mg and 35mg, most preferably 22mg to 28 mg.

Furthermore, the height of the first projection and/or the second projection is preferably comprised between 0.1mm and 1.5mm, preferably between 0.5mm and 1.0mm, with respect to the annular bottom wall of the annular recess. It is important that the height of the protrusion is adapted to the thickness of the layer of polymer material so that all material is contained in the annular recess and does not extend beyond or overflow.

The first and/or second projections are preferably obtained by stamping or deep drawing. The diameter of the outer projecting wall delimiting the annular recess outwards at its base is preferably greater than 31.7mm, more preferably comprised between 31.8mm and 32.0 mm. The diameter of the inner projecting wall inwardly bounding the annular recess at its base is preferably less than 29.9mm, more preferably between 29.85 and 29.70.

According to one aspect, the cover is attached to the annular outer wall and/or the annular bottom wall of the annular recess.

Thus, the attachment surface of the cover to the capsule body is still sufficient to create a strong engagement to withstand the internal pressure in the capsule.

In one aspect, the inner and/or outer protruding wall of the annular recess is spaced apart such that, in use after closing the closing member, the sealing member is compressed by the free contact end of the annular element and under the compressive force of the free contact end, the polymer material of the sealing member flows between the inner and/or outer protruding wall such that, when the capsule is positioned in the closing member of the beverage preparation device and the closing member is closed by the closing member of the beverage preparation device, an axial and a radial force are applied to the free contact end of the annular element.

Thus, after closing, both axial and radial forces of the sealing member have been applied to the annular element simultaneously, thereby providing an effective seal capable of "closing" the radially extending open groove of the annular element.

In one possible aspect, the inner and/or outer projecting wall of the annular recess is inclined at an angle of between 45 and 85 degrees relative to the annular bottom wall of the annular recess.

This angled configuration not only improves the distribution of the sealing material in the recess, but also reduces the total amount required to achieve an equivalent sealing effect.

The polymeric material of the sealing member may be a compressible polymeric material. It may be applied in viscous or liquid form and harden after application to the recess. The polymeric material is a food grade rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or preferably a soft polymer or copolymer. The hardness of the soft polymer or copolymer is generally less than or equal to 50 Shore A at ambient temperature (20 ℃). In particular, the polymeric material may be selected from the group consisting of: silicone rubber, EPDM, polyurethane, styrene TPE (e.g., styrene block copolymer), polyester TPE (e.g., ether ester block copolymer), polyamide TPE (e.g., ether amide block copolymer), polyolefin (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene), and combinations thereof.

The invention is particularly suitable for application to one embodiment of a beverage preparation system according to the invention. Thus, the invention may be a system for preparing a beverage from a capsule using water under pressure entering the capsule, the system comprising:

a beverage preparation apparatus comprising: a closure member for containing the capsule, wherein the closure member comprises water injection means for supplying water under pressure into the capsule; a closing member, such as an extraction plate, for closing a closing member of a beverage preparation apparatus, wherein the closing member of the beverage preparation apparatus further comprises an annular element having a central annular element axis and a free contact end, said free contact end of the annular element optionally having a plurality of radially extending open grooves;

and a capsule as aforesaid, and

wherein the free contact end of the annular element is arranged to compress the layer of polymer material in the annular recess when the closure member is closed by the closure member.

In the system of the invention, the capsule is arranged such that the distance between the inner and outer projecting walls of the annular recess is such that the free contact end of the annular element enters the annular recess between the inner and outer projecting walls. Furthermore, the free contact end of the annular element enters the annular recess such that the polymer material flows between the inner and/or outer protruding walls under the compressive force of the free contact end such that an axial and a radial force are exerted on the free contact end of the annular element when the capsule is positioned in and closed by the closing member of the beverage preparation device.

The invention may also be summarized as directed to a capsule for preparing a beverage by extracting a substance in a beverage preparation device, the capsule comprising:

-an aluminium capsule body having a bottom, a side wall and an outwardly extending flange,

-a cover attached to the outwardly extending flange, and

-a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a water-tight sealing contact with a closing member of the beverage preparation device; wherein the sealing member comprises at least one annular layer of polymer material positioned on the outwardly extending flange, wherein the sealing member is compressed in use in the device, and wherein the outwardly extending flange comprises an annular recess having an annular bottom wall and inner and outer projecting walls, each extending in a direction towards the bottom of the capsule body, and wherein the annular layer of polymer material is entirely contained in the annular recess, and the maximum width of the annular recess is at least two times smaller than the width (D) of the outwardly extending flange.

Description of the drawings:

the invention will now be further illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a system according to the present invention;

fig. 2 shows in perspective view an embodiment of a beverage preparation device of the system according to the present invention, showing a free contact end of a closure member of the beverage preparation device having a plurality of radially extending open recesses;

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged detail of a prior art capsule in cross-section, showing the outwardly extending flange and the sealing member;

figure 4 shows an enlarged detail of the outwardly extending flange of the capsule of the prior art when engaged by the annular element of the beverage preparation device;

figure 5 shows an enlarged detail of the capsule of the invention according to the first mode, in cross-section, showing the outwardly extending flange and the sealing member;

figure 6 shows an enlarged detail of the outwardly extending flange of the capsule in figure 5 when engaged by the annular element of the beverage preparation device;

figure 7 shows an enlarged detail of the capsule of the invention according to a second mode in cross-section, showing the outwardly extending flange and the sealing member;

figure 8 shows an enlarged detail of the outwardly extending flange of the capsule in figure 7 when engaged by the annular element of the beverage preparation device;

fig. 9 shows an enlarged detail of the outwardly extending flange of the capsule according to another embodiment when engaged by the ring-shaped element of the beverage preparation device.

The specific implementation mode is as follows:

fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a system for preparing a drink-type beverage from a capsule using a fluid supplied under pressure into the capsule in a cross-sectional view. The system 1 comprises a capsule 2 and a beverage preparation device 1. The device 1 comprises a closure member 26 for holding the capsule 2. The device 2 further comprises a closing member 10, such as an extraction plate, for supporting the capsule 2.

In fig. 1, for the sake of clarity, gaps are drawn between the capsule 2, the closing member 26 and the extraction plate 10. It will be appreciated that, in use, the capsule 2 may be in contact with the closure member 26 and the extraction plate member 10. Typically, the closure member 26 has a shape complementary to the shape of the capsule 2. The apparatus further comprises water injection means 27 for supplying a quantity of water to the replaceable capsule 2 at a pressure in the range of 6 to 20 bar, preferably between 10 and 18 bar.

In the example shown in fig. 1, the exchangeable capsule 2 comprises an aluminium capsule body 3 with a central capsule body axis 4 and an aluminium cover 8. In the context of the present invention, the meaning of "aluminium" is also understood to include aluminium alloys. In this example, the aluminum capsule body 3 includes: a side wall 6; a bottom 5 closing the side walls at a first end; and an outwardly extending flange 7 extending outwardly from the side wall 6 at a second end opposite the base 5. The side wall 6, the bottom 5 and the cover 8 enclose an inner space 28 containing a substance for preparing a beverage for preparation by extraction and/or dissolution of the substance. Preferably, the substance is between 5 and 20 grams, preferably between 5 and 10 grams, more preferably between 5 and 7 grams of roast and ground coffee for preparing a single beverage. The capsule is initially sealed, i.e. hermetically closed before use.

The system 1 in fig. 1 comprises a bottom piercing member 30 for piercing or tearing open the bottom 5 of the capsule 2 to form at least one inlet opening 31 in the bottom for supplying water to the extractable product through the inlet opening. The system 1 in fig. 1 further comprises a cover piercing member 32, here embodied as a pyramid-shaped protrusion of the closure member 10, for piercing the cover 8 of the capsule 2. The cover puncture device 32 may be arranged to tear open the cover when the (fluid) pressure within the interior space 29 exceeds a threshold pressure and to press the cover against the cover puncture device with sufficient force. The cover may be of aluminium and/or polymer and is arranged to tear on the closure member 10 of the beverage preparation device under the influence of fluid pressure (e.g. formed by a pressurized combination of water, gas and solid) in the capsule.

The capsule 2 further comprises a sealing member 9 arranged at the outwardly extending flange 7 for providing a liquid tight contact with the closing member 26 when the capsule is positioned in the closing member and the closing member is closed by the extraction plate or closing member 10, such that at least a part of the outwardly extending flange and the sealing member of the capsule is sealingly engaged between the closing member and the extraction plate. This means that a fluid-tight contact is formed between the sealing member and the free contact end.

As shown in fig. 2, the closing member 26 of the beverage preparation device comprises an annular element 11 having a central annular element axis 12 and a free contact end 13. The closure member 26 may be formed from several pieces, including a separate annular element 11 joined to a base element 41 as shown in fig. 2. Alternatively, the closure member 26 may be formed from a single piece, comprising an annular element 11 integral with the remainder of the member as shown in figure 1. The free contact end 13 of the annular element may have a plurality of radially extending open recesses 40. The plurality of radially extending open recesses 40 are evenly spaced relative to each other in a tangential direction of the free contact end of the ring element 11. The longest tangential width of each groove is 0.9mm to 1.1mm, preferably 0.95mm to 1.05mm, wherein the maximum height of each groove in the axial direction of the closure member 6 is 0.01mm to 0.09mm, preferably 0.03mm to 0.07 mm. The number of grooves 40 is in the range of 90 to 110.

Typically, the radial width of the free end at the groove 40 is 0.05mm to 0.9mm, more particularly 0.2mm to 0.7mm, more particularly 0.3mm to 0.55 mm.

Fig. 5 and 6 show an embodiment of the capsule according to the invention in more detail. In the embodiment shown, the outer diameter of the outwardly extending flange is larger than the diameter of the capsule bottom 5. In the embodiment shown, the outwardly extending flange 7 has an outer diameter of about 37.1mm and the base 5 has a diameter of about 23.3 mm. The thickness of the aluminum capsule body 3 may be between 20 and 200 microns.

In the embodiment shown, the wall thickness of the cover 8 is about 40 microns when made of aluminum. The wall thickness of the aluminum cover is preferably smaller than the thickness of the aluminum capsule body 3.

The side wall 6 of the capsule body 4 has a free end 33 opposite the bottom. The inner diameter of the free end 33 of the side wall of the aluminium capsule body is about 29.5 mm. From this free end 33, an outwardly extending flange 7 extends in a direction at least substantially transverse to the central capsule body axis 4. The outwardly extending flange 7 may include a curled outer edge 15. In the embodiment shown, the curled outer edge 15 of the outwardly extending flange has a maximum dimension of about 1.2 mm. The distance D between the free end 33 of the side wall 6 of the aluminum capsule body 3 and the inner edge of the curled outer edge 15 is about 2.7mm, while the distance D between the free end 33 of the side wall of the aluminum capsule body and the outermost edge of the outwardly extending flange is about 3.9 mm. The maximum width (radial distance) of the annular recess 16 is preferably less than twice the distance D. Thus, the maximum width of the annular recess may be less than 1.9mm, preferably between 1mm and 1.5 mm. The diameter of the central capsule body axis around the inner edge of the curled outer edge 15 is preferably at least 34.7 mm.

Capsules of the prior art are represented in fig. 3 and 4 and are described, for example, in EP2151313B1 and EP2318199B 1. Such a capsule may be received in a liquid-tight manner in a beverage preparation device as shown in fig. 1. The capsule comprises a body 3 having a bottom 5, a side wall 6 and an outwardly extending flange 7. The capsule comprises a cover 8 attached to the outwardly extending flange 7 in a direction opposite the bottom of the body. The annular attachment surface provided by the substantially flat outwardly extending flange is relatively large, providing a strong engagement and less risk of delamination, such as due to gas (e.g. carbon-containing gas and/or nitrogen) pressure when the capsule is closed prior to piercing or due to fluid pressure during brewing. The attachment is typically achieved by welding together a suitable seal between the outwardly extending flange 7 and the cover 8.

For liquid tight sealing engagement between the device after closing, the capsule comprises a sealing member 9 at the outwardly extending flange 7 for providing a water tight sealing contact with the closing member 26 of the beverage preparation device when the capsule is positioned in the closing member of the device and the closing member is closed by the closing member 10, such as an extraction plate. In such a configuration shown in fig. 4, the outwardly extending flange 7 and a portion of the sealing member 9 are sealingly engaged between the closure member 26 and the closure member 10 of the device (closure member 10 in phantom). In particular, the free contact end 13 of the annular element 11 compresses the sealing member, in particular near the free end of the side wall where the sealing member is thicker. The sealing member is resilient and forms a continuous portion distributed around the circumference of the transition from the flange to the capsule side wall. The outer surface of the seal is linear (slanted) or meniscus shaped as seen in cross section. The thickness of the sealing member continuously decreases from the free end 33 towards the end at the side wall 6. The thickness also decreases towards the curled outer end 15 at the outwardly extending flange 7. The sealing member is typically applied to the outwardly extending flange 7 in a viscous liquid state, heated, and caused to migrate over the surface of the flange and sidewall and then to solidify. With such a sealing member configuration, a substantial amount of sealing material does not participate in the sealing engagement of the sealing member with the closure member 26. In effect, the sealing contact between the free contact end 13 and the sealing member 9 is concentrated in a smaller part of the outwardly extending flange 7 and in the transition area of the side wall at the free end 33 of the side wall.

Figures 5 and 6 show a capsule of the invention according to a first possible mode. In this case, the sealing member 9 is received in an annular recess 16 of the outwardly extending flange 7. The annular recess comprises an annular bottom wall 17, an outer projecting wall 19 and an inner projecting wall 18. The inner projecting wall 18 is part of the side wall 6 itself and extends from the free end 33 of the side wall. The outer projecting wall 19 is a part of the outer projection 21. The outer protrusion 21 extends from the outwardly extending flange 7 towards the bottom 5 of the capsule body. It also comprises a top wall 23 and a second outer projecting wall 24. The projection has a cavity 22 extending on the side of the outwardly extending flange 7 facing the cover 8. The cavity may be hollow, but may also be filled tightly or flat. The annular recess 16 forms only a part of the outwardly extending flange 7 which extends further outwardly through the annular outer wall 14. The cover 8 is preferably attached to the annular outer wall 14, such as by welding. The cover 8 may also be advantageously attached to the bottom wall of the recess, such as by welding. Thus, the annular outer wall is preferably flat to provide a suitable attachment surface for the cover. By "flat" is meant that the surface is not curved (convex or concave) inward in the lateral direction, but the surface may have structures, such as streaks or small defects. The outwardly extending flange 7 may include a curled outer edge 15. Such edges typically provide a clean (non-cut) edge of the aluminum body after the deep drawing operation.

The recess may be relatively shallow to contain at least one layer of polymeric material. The depth of the recess may be defined by the height of the outer protrusion 21. This height may for example be comprised between 0.1mm and 1.2mm, preferably between 0.2mm and 0.8 mm. The bottom wall and/or the protruding wall of the recess need not be smooth and may comprise fine striations or wavy structures. The annular recess may also include an insert, such as a grid or small parts, such as beads or fillers embedded in the polymeric sealing material.

The weight of the polymeric material used for the sealing member is between 20mg and 30mg, preferably about 25 mg. This represents a saving of about 50% compared to the sealing member of prior art EP2151313B 1.

As shown in fig. 6, the free contact end 13 of the annular element 11 is arranged to engage the layer of polymer material in the annular recess 16 by compression. The inner projection wall 18 and the outer projection wall 19 are arranged at a distance such that the free contact end of the ring element 6 is positioned in the recess and preferably adjacent or arranged at a very short distance between the two projection walls. The material of the sealing member can be deformed, typically by flowing along the inner wall 18 and the outer protruding wall 19, so that it covers the curled surface of the free contact end of the ring element. Both an axial sealing force component and a radial sealing force component are applied to the seal member. In addition, both the inner and outer sides of the free contact end contact the sealing member, thereby further improving the sealing engagement with a limited amount of material. If the polymeric sealing material is a soft foam, the sealing member may also simply reduce in volume after compression and in this case may not flow too much up the projecting wall. In this case, the sealing engagement is primarily related to the axial sealing force.

Figures 7 and 8 show a capsule of the invention according to a second possible mode. In this case, the sealing member 9 is still received in the annular recess 16 of the outwardly extending flange 7. The annular recess further comprises an annular bottom wall 17, an outer projecting wall 19 and an inner projecting wall 18. The outer projecting wall 19 is still a part of the outer projection 21. One difference from the first mode is that the inner projecting wall 18 is a portion of the inner projection 25 that is slightly outwardly away from the side wall 6. The

projections

21 and 25 each extend from the outwardly extending flange 7 towards the bottom 5 of the capsule body. The second projection 25 further comprises a top wall 34 and a second inner projection wall 35. The second projection 25 also has a cavity 36 which extends on the side of the outwardly extending flange 7 facing the cover 8. The cavity may be hollow, but may also be filled tightly or flat. The annular recess 37 forms only a part of the outwardly extending flange 7 which extends further outwardly through the annular outer wall 14. Between the inner protrusion 25 and the side wall 6, a second annular recess 37 is provided. Such recesses do not have to be filled with a polymeric sealing material, but may preferably remain empty. The inner annular recess preferably extends towards the cover through an annular bottom wall 38. The

annular bottom walls

17, 38 are preferably outwardly aligned (i.e., without significant horizontal variation) with the annular outer wall 14. The cover 8 is preferably attached to the annular outer wall 14, such as by welding. The cover 8 may advantageously be attached, such as by welding, to the annular bottom wall 17 of the annular recess 16 and/or to the annular bottom wall 38 of the inner recess 37 of the sealing member.

The two

projections

21,25 are preferably obtained by embossing during the forming of the body.

In the former mode, the recess may be relatively shallow to contain at least one layer of polymeric material. The depth of the recess may be defined by the height of the outer protrusion 21. This height may for example be comprised between 0.1mm and 1.2mm, preferably between 0.2mm and 0.8 mm. The bottom wall 17 and/or the protruding wall 19 of the recess need not be smooth and may comprise fine striations or wavy structures. The annular recess may also include an insert, such as a grid or small parts, such as beads or fillers embedded in the polymeric sealing material.

As shown in fig. 8, the free contact end 13 of the annular element 11 is also arranged to engage the layer of polymer material in the annular recess 16 by compression. The inner projecting wall 18 and the outer projecting wall 19 are arranged at a distance such that the free contact end 13 of the ring element 6 is positioned in the recess and preferably adjacent or arranged at a very short distance between the two projecting walls. The material of the sealing member can be deformed, typically by flowing along the inner wall 18 and the outer protruding wall 19, so that it covers the curled surface of the free contact end of the ring element. Both an axial sealing force component and a radial sealing force component are applied to the seal member. In addition, both the inner and outer sides of the free contact end contact the sealing member, thereby further improving the sealing engagement with a limited amount of material. If the polymeric sealing material is a soft foam, the sealing member may also simply reduce in volume and, in such a case, may not flow too much up the projecting wall. In this case, the sealing engagement is primarily related to the axial sealing force.

Fig. 9 shows another embodiment of the capsule of the present invention. In this embodiment, the sealing member 9 is received in an annular recess 16 of the outwardly extending flange 7. The annular recess comprises an annular bottom wall 17, an inner projecting wall 18 and an outer projecting wall 19. The inner projecting wall 18 is part of the side wall 6 itself. The outer projecting wall 19 is a part of the outer projection 21. The projection 21 extends towards the bottom 5 of the capsule body. Which comprises a top wall 23 forming a platform. The platform may be flat. Such a top wall or platform 23 is bounded by an outer projecting wall 19 adjacent the recess and a second outer projecting wall 24 on the outer edge 15 of the outwardly extending flange. The outer edge may be crimped and directly connected to the outer projecting wall 24. The outer projection 21 has a cavity 22 which extends on the side of the outwardly extending flange 7 facing the cover 8. In contrast to the embodiment of fig. 5 and 6, the outer protrusion 21 occupies most of the width of the annular outer wall 14. The outer projection 21 is larger than the annular recess 16.

An advantage of the embodiment of the capsule in fig. 9 is that the formation of the recess and the outer protruding wall 19 is more convenient and less prone to the formation of defects such as creases or cracks.

After forming and filling the recess with a polymer material, it is possible to deform the outer projecting wall, such as by stamping. The outer projecting wall may be flattened until the outer projecting

walls

19, 24 become substantially transversely aligned with the bottom wall 17 and the projection 21, respectively. The advantage of flattening the outer projection 21 is mainly to restore a relatively large and flat annular aluminium surface enabling the cover to seal thereon.

Claims

1. Capsule (2) containing a substance for the preparation of a beverage by supplying water under pressure into the capsule in a beverage preparation device (1) for extracting the substance, wherein the capsule comprises:

-an aluminium capsule body (3) having a central capsule body axis (4), the capsule body having a bottom (5), side walls (6) and an outwardly extending flange (7), and

-a cover (8) attached to the outwardly extending flange (7), the cover closing the capsule,

wherein the capsule comprises a sealing member (9) located at the outwardly extending flange (7) for providing a water-tight contact with a closing member (10) of the beverage preparation device, such as an extraction plate of the device, when the capsule is positioned in the closing member (26) of the beverage preparation device and the closing member is closed by the closing member (10) of the beverage preparation device, such that the outwardly extending flange (7) of the capsule and at least a part of the sealing member of the capsule are sealingly engaged between the closing member (9) and the closing member (10) of the device, wherein the closing member of the beverage preparation device comprises a ring-shaped element (11) having a ring-shaped element axis (12) and comprising a free contact end (13),

wherein the sealing member (9) comprises an annular layer of polymer material positioned on the outwardly extending flange, wherein the sealing member is compressed by the free contact end (13) of the annular element moving towards the closure element when in use after closing the closure member, characterised in that the outwardly extending flange (7) comprises an annular outer wall (14), an optionally curled outer edge (15) extending from the annular outer wall (14), and an annular recess (16) between the annular outer wall (14) and the side wall (6); said annular recess (16) comprising an annular bottom wall (17) and inner (18) and outer (19) projecting walls, said projecting walls (18,19) each extending in a direction towards the bottom (5) of the capsule body,

and in that the annular layer (20) of polymer material is housed in the annular recess (16) and does not extend over the annular outer wall (14).

2. Capsule according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the inner projecting wall (18) and the outer projecting wall (19) is such that the free contact end (13) of the annular element (11) is positioned between the two walls (18, 19).

3. Capsule according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the capsule comprises an outer protrusion (21) extending from the outwardly extending flange (7) towards the bottom (5) of the body and comprising the outer protrusion wall (19).

4. Capsule according to claim 3, wherein the outer protrusion (21) has an annular cavity (22) extending on the side of the outwardly extending flange (7) facing the cover (8) comprising the outer protrusion wall (19) of the recess, a top wall or line (23) and a second outer protrusion wall (24) facing the bottom (5) of the body.

5. Capsule according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the inner projecting wall (18) of the annular recess (16) is formed as part of the side wall (6) of the body.

6. A capsule according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the capsule comprises a second projection (25) extending from the outwardly extending flange (7) towards the bottom (5) of the body.

7. Capsule according to claim 6, wherein the second projection (25) has an annular cavity (36) extending on the side of the outwardly extending flange (7) facing the cover (8) comprising the inner projecting wall (18), top wall (34) or line of the recess and a second inner projecting wall (35) facing the bottom (5) of the body.

8. Capsule according to claims 3 to 7, wherein the height of said first and/or second projections (21,25) is comprised between 0.1mm and 1.5mm with respect to the annular bottom wall (17) of said annular recess (16), and optionally wherein said first and/or second projections (21,25) are obtained by embossing or deep drawing.

9. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (8) is attached to the annular outer wall (14) and/or the annular bottom wall (17) of the annular recess (16).

10. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inner protruding wall (18) and/or the outer protruding wall (19) of the annular recess are spaced apart so that, in use after closing the closing member (9), the sealing member (9) is compressed by a free contact end (13) of the annular element, and the polymer material of the sealing member flows between the inner and/or outer projecting walls (18,19) under the action of the compressive force of the free contact end, such that when the capsule is positioned in the closing member (26) of the beverage preparation device and the closing member (26) is closed by the closing member (10) of the beverage preparation device, -applying an axial force and a radial force to the free contact end (13) of the annular element (11).

11. Capsule according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner projecting wall (18) and/or the outer projecting wall (19) of the annular recess (16) are inclined at an angle comprised between 45 and 85 degrees with respect to the annular bottom wall (17) of the annular recess.

12. Capsule according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the polymeric material is a food grade rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or preferably a soft polymer or copolymer.

13. The capsule of claim 12, wherein the polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of: silicone rubber, EPDM, polyurethane, styrene TPE (e.g., styrene block copolymer), polyester TPE (e.g., ether ester block copolymer), polyamide TPE (e.g., ether amide block copolymer), polyolefin (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene), and combinations thereof.

14. A capsule according to any preceding claim, wherein the polymeric material is a foamed, sponge or non-foamed solid.

15. System for preparing a beverage from a capsule using water under pressure entering the capsule, the system comprising:

beverage preparation device (1) comprising: a closure member (26) for containing the capsule, wherein the closure member comprises a water injection means (27) for supplying water under pressure into the capsule (2); a closing member (10), such as an extraction plate, for closing the closing member (26) of the beverage preparation apparatus, wherein the closing member (26) of the beverage preparation apparatus further comprises a ring element (11) having a central ring element axis (12) and comprising a free contact end (13) optionally having a plurality of radially extending open grooves (40); and

a capsule (2) according to any of the preceding claims, and

wherein the free contact end (13) of the annular element is arranged for compressing the layer of polymer material in the annular recess (16) when the closure member is closed by the closure member.

16. System according to claim 15, wherein the distance between the inner and outer projecting walls (18,19) of the annular recess (16) is such that the free contact end of the annular element enters the annular recess between the inner and outer projecting walls (18, 19).

17. System according to claim 16, wherein the free contact end (13) of the ring-shaped element (11) enters the annular recess such that polymer material flows between the inner and/or outer protruding walls (17,18) under the action of the compressive force of the free contact end (13) such that an axial and a radial force is exerted on the free contact end of the ring-shaped element when the capsule is positioned in the closing member of the beverage preparation device and the closing member (26) is closed by the closing member (10) of the beverage preparation device.